How do I get started?

[Haopengyou]

I need to become rather proficient with multimedia from capturing, video editing, sound editing, adding subtitles, special effects, incorporating still graphics, menu creation etc. I have read through some of the tutorials on this website - my hat's off to those of you who have done such a fine job. I can do certain tasks now but it is still with great effort and confusion. But the problem I often encounter with this website is that it tends to focus on a specific task. I am hoping that some of you would spend a few moments and help me prepare a plan of attack to conquor the multimedia monster. Please speak generically, rather than using specific brands. One of the biggest problem I have is that when I am reading through tutorials and l often encounter words that more likely look like they belong in the Russian language than they do in English! Maybe put another way, what I need is a MM for dummies book, a getting started course, etc

Thanks in advance!

[RDS1955]

You say you need to become rather proficient in :
1)Capturing
2)Video Editing
3)Sound Editing
4)adding Subtitles
5)Special Effects
6)Incorporating Still Graphics
7)Menu Creation
8) & Etc..
Then you say -"But the problem I often encounter with this website is that it tends to focus on a specific task.

If you want an All-in-one Wonder App, search through the tools sections.. If you do want to really become proficient, bear in mind it will take your own efort, and desire to learn.. AND TIME....The Multimedia Guru's in here just didn't learn all this stuff in one day, week or month.. Much of it is learned through trial and error, application of the techniques with the various applications and software and speaking on behalf of my own self, many, many mistakes...Don't expect to learn it all in one day cause it just ain't happenin..Take your time and read, read, read everything in here that you can.. I've been a member here since last year and I'm still learning.. and still making mistakes, though not as frequent as when I 1st started out..... One of the better places to get started at as:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/

that should outline the basics enough for you to start... Good look and Good reading...

[ozymango]

Maybe put another way, what I need is a MM for dummies book, a getting started course, etc

Actually, that's not a bad idea -- I could easily see how, with just a little cleaning up around the edges, you could (with a good editorial touch!) work out a "Multimedia for Dummies" book with contributions from various listers and guides ... walk through the "processes" from several perspectives ... seriously, that's a great idea! A project for the new year!

But in the meantime ... I think I know exactly what you're talking about and I can "see" how such a guide might be constructed ... but it's taken me so long to get where I'm at (and while I'm pretty decent at a lot of things, I'm far from any kind of authority on anything, actually), how do you put it all down so somebody else doesn't have to hit all the dead ends you hit along the way?

Sorry I can't be of any direct help at the moment, but I'll try to think of something and see if I can at least point you in some direction to start. My own experience: I started a long time ago doing 8mm and S8mm films, not video, and played with video cameras when you used to have to lug around these 10-lb. behemoths that need 100000 candlepower to make a decent image ... my titles were markers on a sheet of paper, taped to the wall ... and my first VHS "movie" was unwatchable due to bad lighting, bad sound, puke-o-vision camera movement ... ...

So I learned by doing, and by doing badly! Twenty six years later, I'm still a beginner because they change the rules just when I manage to get competent at doing something.

[junkmalle]

What sources will you be capturing from? VHS? DVD? Downloaded AVI files? DV Camcorder? TV? HDTV?

You might find this old message about capture cards useful:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1318634#1318634

[Bjs]

Speaking of "Multimedia for Dummies" book , I created a "Multimedia for Dummies" dvd ... and its taken 2 years to compile so newbies can choose what it is they want to do , and go to it , and I am still adding to it weekly .

Yes , its one you play in the home player while you work on the pc , just like a slideshow , with connections to completed video shots of what the outcome looks like .

With all the stuff I wanted to jam into it , it's now 2 dvd's and 1 cd for all the tools , freeware only of course , plus saved project's and graphics ...

Might finish it mid next year if I'm lucky ...